Truck Stop owner discusses new food venue

A new place to stop in and grab a bite is coming to the Cooper-Young neighborhood called the Truck Stop at the corner Cooper Street and Central Avenue. Taylor Berger, owner, talks about his new business venture. Berger, a former lawyer, also owns Yolo and Chiwawa — both in Midtown’s Overton Square — as well as Tamp and Tap downtown.

Why do you want to open the Truck Stop?

I think it will make money. Plus, a lot of restaurants in the area are not in good spots and are expensive.

What types of food will be served?

It will be what the food trucks are offering but anything from pizza to deserts to beer if you’re of age. The best part is that there won’t be lines that people have to wait in.

When will it open?

Well, underground pipes must be moved, and that will take anywhere from two to six months. So, I am guessing sometime in the spring of 2015.

Why food trucks?

I have always been interested in them. I started the Memphis Food Truck Association.

How is the restaurant going to be built, like what materials?

If you know the area, there isn’t a lot of space at the corner of Cooper (Street) and Central (Avenue). But, the restaurant will be made out of shipping containers. And we will have a patio that will be naturally shaded by the trees around there.

Why place this in the Cooper-Young area?

We looked at a lot of different places. We wanted it to be in a commercial and residential area. And that corner is right in the middle of Midtown.

How do you think it will affect Cooper-Young?

I think the architecture alone will attract customers to the restaurant, but I also think it will bring more customers to the other shops in the area. I want it to attract national attention.

Has there been any backlash from Cooper-Young residents? If so, what kind?

No, we haven’t received any from Cooper-Young residents. We responded to their concerns and answered their questions. They actually gave us a letter of support. However, the Central Gardens neighborhood gave us the opposite kind of letter.